President-elect Donald Trump has announced his intent to nominate former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as the U.S. ambassador to Israel. Huckabee’s nomination is seen as a move to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel’s interests, particularly in light of ongoing conflicts with Iran-backed groups in Gaza and Lebanon.
If confirmed, Huckabee will be the first non-Jewish person to hold the role since 2011. His appointment comes as peace negotiations between Israel and Hamas have stalled, with Qatar withdrawing its mediation efforts. Huckabee is likely to face pressure to help broker a cease-fire deal in the region.
Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform, praising Huckabee’s leadership and commitment to Israel. The former governor campaigned for Trump in the 2016 election and has remained a loyal ally.
In addition to Huckabee’s nomination, Trump has made other staffing announcements, including plans to nominate former Rep. Lee Zeldin as the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, and appoint Rep. Mike Waltz as national security adviser. Trump has also selected Rep. Elise Stefanik as ambassador to the United Nations, following the appointment of Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff and Tom Homan as “border czar.”
Overall, Huckabee’s nomination signals a continued focus on supporting Israel’s interests in the Middle East, as Trump prepares to take office and shape his administration’s diplomatic priorities.
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